Fixing Middlemore Hospital a priority

Long standing problems with
buildings and infrastructure at Middlemore Hospital and the
Manukau SuperClinic will be fixed following an $80 million
investment, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced
today.

“Improving access to high quality health
services provided in world-class facilities is a priority
for the Coalition Government,” said Jacinda Ardern.

“The people and staff of Counties Manukau District
Health Board deserve quality facilities that are in a good
state of repair.

“Problems with leaky buildings,
including rot and mould in the walls, and earthquake prone
facilities are all symptoms of years of neglect and
underinvestment.

“We are tackling that with an $80
million investment which will make a real difference to
patients and their families and to staff working at the
frontline.

“Improving the state of our hospitals is
a priority. In our first Budget $750 million of new funding
was set aside for capital works – with today’s $80
million dollar investment we have allocated well over $600
million of that to key projects.”

Health Minister
David Clark said today’s announcement was a welcome step
in what would be an ongoing process of renewing Middlemore
and other DHB facilities.

“This funding means
Counties Manukau DHB can plan with certainty and develop
business cases for four important projects:”

·
Re-cladding the Kidz First Building, as part of an ongoing
phased approach to re-cladding clinical buildings at
CMDHB

· Relocating the radiology department from
the aging Galbraith building to the Harley Gray
building

· Establishing a radiology hub at the
Manukau SuperClinic site (currently patients have to be
transferred to Middlemore for CT and MRI services)

·
Critical infrastructure work at the Manukau SuperClinic
including new plant room/substations, IT, medical gases and
parking – all needed to support expansion of clinical
services in the short to medium term

“These projects
will significantly improve the standard of key facilities.
They will also help Counties Manukau DHB better handle a
growing population with some of the most challenging health
needs in New Zealand.

“Upgrading and repairing
hospital facilities is no small task. It requires careful
planning to minimise disruption to patients and staff while
maintaining services throughout.

“In the end,
though, this is about delivering the quality facilities and
services that people need and deserve. This is a Government
committed to that task,” said David Clark.

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